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The bill was created after Kari Hunt was stabbed to death in a hotel room by her estranged husband in 2013. Her daughter, who was witnessing the murder, repeatedly tried to call 911, but was unaware that she needed to dial an extra “9” to get through to an outside line.

Hunt’s father, Hank, created a petition following her death that prompted lawmakers to create the bill, which was passed after years of delays on Feb. 9, which would have been Kari’s birthday.

"It's a bittersweet day," Hank said. "We were able to get a law passed that will prevent anyone from experiencing what my granddaughter did."

"Our children should be able to dial 911 and get help on the other end of the line in a hotel or in an office. Now they can," Rep. Louie Gohmert said. "My heart goes out to Kari’s father, Hank. What a fitting day for Kari’s Law to pass – today Kari would have been 36 years old. Happy birthday, Kari. Your legacy lives on.”

The bill was passed in Texas, Maryland, Tennessee and Illinois before becoming a federal law.

“There’s a lesson virtually every parent teaches their child – if you face an emergency, call 9-1-1,” Texas Governor Abbott said, when he signed Kari's Law in 2015. “I am signing Kari’s Law to ensure that whenever there is an emergency, any child and any adult who dials 9-1-1 is going to be able to connect with emergency personnel to ensure they come to the rescue of those who need help the most.”

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